The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-05-05

their work. They have their individual
peculiarities. that the master will dis
cover, and they learn his ways and hi
voice and submit to his guidance
There is much jealousy among the dogs
and when they are keen on the scent
is amusing to watch them and see how
they try to get the best of each other
The older dogs get the scent and follow
it, and the rest run with them, spread
ing out to the sides so as to catch tn,
scent on sharp turns when the leader
overrun and lose it. Sometimes dos
that is on the extreme will get the seem
and give tongue and all the rest vii
turn to follow him. That is called
scoring to cry and is pretty sight
1t gives dog that is behind the lead o.
the pack. and the old dogs will strain
every nerve to regain their lost posi-.
| tons. Sometimes the leaders of the
pack will spread out to both sides in
search of the scent. A dog tagging
behind will keep on his course, come
right down through the center of the
pack, get the scent, and scurry away in
front of the whole lot. have seen old
dogs dodge around piece of brush or
cover, understanding that the fox has
gone through. and take up the scent on
the other side. leaving the younger and
inexperienced hounds to work through
the brush and bring up the rear of
the procession. To make the hounds
run keen it is necessary to give them
something to run after besides the odor
Of anise. SO we have fox turned out
at the head of the run and let the dogs
chase him. The fox is released from Il
bag about half an hour before the
hounds come into sight, and one old
dog is put upon his trail to keep him
running and prevent his being surprised
by the pack. The old hound can not
catch him. and even if he could get up
to him the fox would beat the dog off.
1t is very seldom that single dog VIII
tackle fox. have seen fox spring
out from the middle of pack and
escape scot free. Very often our foxes
escape, and am glad to see them get
away. l don't like to see the hounds
tear Il fox, and am not in favor of using
foxes any oftener than is necessary to
keep the hounds keen in running. On
Hampstead Plains the fox has every
thing in his favor, and if he does not sit
down and wait until the hounds are
close upon him he has a pretty good
chance to save himself. In laying the
scent with the drag variety in the run is
secured. At intervals the man picks up
the drag and carries it, making a break
that gives the hounds check. While the
dogs are trying to recover the scent the
horses get a breathing-spell and the
riders who have fallen behind have a
chance to catch up. The pack spreads
out and works over the ground until
one of the dogs gets scent and gives
tongue, when all the hounds are called
together by the master and the run is
resumed.
Hunting on Long Island is more
dangerous than it is in England, because
the fences are worse. A five-foot rail
fence is an ugly thing to face, and both
the horse and rider must have nerve to
take it. An English hedge is a trifing
obstacle in comparison. In approach
ing a hedge, the horse can judge his
stride because he sees Il solid object be-
fore him, but he sees through fence
and is liable to misjudge the distance.
In jumping a hedge a ditch is something
Of an aid to taking of, l think, and
moreover, no harm is done if the horse
touches in going over, because his legs
will brush through the top. If horse
fails to clear a stiff rail-fence and strikes
the top. he will hurt his legs or get
bad fall. There are no gaps in Long
Island fences, and very few gates
through which timid hunter may ride. |
A man who follows the Meadowbrook |
hounds must make up his mind to ride, |
and ride WELL If he hasn't the nerve to |
take every fence as he comes to it he |
had better stay at home.
''Our men get falls enough to make |
the sport exciting. In one season got
falls, broke mywrist, smashed
my nose, broke finger, and was rolled
upon a great many times. l was riding
green horses that year. Broken collar |
bones, arms, legs and shoulders are
common results of falls over rail fences.
1t is very easy to get fall if one does
not manage his horse just right. In
going ut a fence Il rider mist manage
his horse according to the animals
ways and temper. Some horses must |
be urged at a jump, others must be
Steadied, and others must be let alone |
and allowed to have their own way.
The most important point is to avoid
with the horse just as he
makes the jump, or takes off, as we
say. If his head is pulled to one side
by any nervous movement Of the riders
hand, the horse loses his balance and !
may hit his knees on the top rail, and
that will give the rider bad fall, and |
perhaps hurt the horse. A great deal
depends upon the manner of holding
the reins, technically called hand.
Hand is knack that can not be de-
scribed very readily. 1t is judgment.
skill and nerve combined, and with |
really good riders it is almost instinct
i've. A man who has not acquired the
knack is very likely to confuse his
horse instead of inspiring him with
Any uncertainty on the
part of the rideris detected very quickly |
by the horse, and the latter will refuse |